Speeches by Munt.

“Good. Is that turning into something material?”

“It is such a big change. That 7.3 million will rise because a lot of people want to know what is held on them.”

“Thank you, that was helpful. You said it was complicated about how long certain types of criminal record are held and revealed on different sorts of checks. Is there a document somewhere? Is it possible for you to write to the Chair?”

“Thank you. I have a particular interest because I have a piece of casework, and I might have to speak to you later. How common are errors or outdated information on DBS certificates?”

“I was wondering particularly about younger people who may have been involved in things like county lines, who can turn their lives around if they are in a different place or in a different set of circumstances and away from trouble.”

“Thank you for coming. Thank you for what you do. Can you briefly outline what a criminal record is and what information can be held on one?”

“Quickly, do you sense a difference between younger offenders and those who are perhaps older in their chances of going into employment? I wondered.”

“Thank you. Can I ask a quick question? I know that some new arrangements came into play last Wednesday.”

“I invite you to write to the Chair. That would be good. I might do the same. Have you anything you want to add?”

“Thank you. Quickly, may I ask you of your experiences as employers of people who are ex-offenders? What would you say?”

“As a last observation, it was quite interesting when members of the Committee visited HMP Bronzefield, where prison staff were bringing local employers into the prison to speak with prisoners with the aim of reducing that stigma of hiring ex-offenders. Probably the more that happens, it sounds as though that would be a…”

“Can people check their own record?”

“Thank you very much indeed.”

“I am the Member of Parliament for Wells and Mendip Hills in Somerset. Everything is on the register, but I will point out that I am a director and vice chair of WhistleblowersUK and I am also the vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on penal affairs.”

“Good. Is that turning into something material?”

“Thank you. Having employed people in the past who had both spent and unspent convictions, I understand that it is so important that we bring people back into society. You have mentioned already the national insurance break. I wondered what other support the Government provides to employers to promote hiring people who …”

“I am sorry. I get going on this. I love this subject.”

“I have two questions I want to ask you. You had done some polling about the potential reforms you were looking for to the criminal records checks. Who did your polling for you and what were the headlines of your research?”

“Yes. For my other question, I am aware that you have had endorsement from Sir Brian Leveson. I am also aware that the Lord Chancellor said the Government would take up opportunities to simplify criminal records. Has that conversation gone anywhere? How much time have you spent talking to the Lord Chancellor about this?”

“What do you think? Where might the Government go with this if they were being open and helpful and stuff?”